Hear the story behind the opera. Join us 45 minutes before this performance when a member of Opera Australia's artistic team will share their insights into the opera. Held in the Northern Foyer of the Joan Sutherland Theatre, this informal and informative talk will help you to get the most out of your opera experience.

NEW PRODUCTION

Temptation. The word holds great power, even in an age where organised religion
holds little sway. What would you give up your soul for?

Led into temptation by the garish Méphistophélès, Faust hardly hesitates,
swapping a life of dissatisfied restraint for a salacious journey through life’s
earthly pleasures.

McVicar’s startling production for Covent Garden puts the opera in the composer’s
own time: the decadence and debauchery of 1870s Paris. Between towering cathedral
columns and the crumbling proscenium arch of the theatre, Faust’s terrible pact
plays out in all of its sinister splendor.

The images are at once delightful and disturbing, a reminder that given the chance,
any one of us might stumble down Faust’s road.

Behind all this is the resounding beauty of Gounod’s music, including the
famous ‘Soldier’s Chorus’.

Nicole Car sings the ‘Jewel Song’ in her role debut as Marguerite,
opposite Teddy Tahu Rhodes in his debut as the devilish Méphistophélès
and thrilling young American tenor Michael Fabiano in the title role. After his triumph
as Rigoletto in Sydney, Giorgio Caoduro sings the role of Valentin under the baton
of Guillaume Tourniaire.

When an ageing academic accepts a deal from the underworld, his dreams of youth
and love look set to come true. But as the lives around him start to unravel, the
devil, it seems, is in the detail.

Act I

Weary of life and the vain pursuit of knowledge, the aged Faust decides on suicide.
He is stopped in his tracks by the light of dawn and voices singing God’s praises.
Faust bitterly renounces God and calls on Satan. Méphistophélès duly
appears. He will satisfy Faust’s hedonistic demands in return for the philosopher’s
soul. Hesitating at the last moment before signing the diabolic contract, Faust is
finally swayed by a vision conjured up by Méphistophélès of the beautiful
and innocent Marguerite: Faust must have her.

Act II

The town is celebrating. In their midst, Valentin is preoccupied with thoughts
of leaving to fight in the war. He asks his friends to look after his sister Marguerite
while he is away; among them is Siébel, who is in love with her. They are interrupted
by Méphistophélès, who sings a blasphemous song and makes innuendos
about Marguerite. This is too much for Valentin who is roused to defend his sister
and attack Méphistophélès, but his sword breaks mid-air and everyone
hastily withdraws. Méphistophélès is joined by Faust; when Marguerite
appears she rejects Faust’s attentions.

Act III

Siébel leaves a bouquet of flowers for Marguerite. Next, Faust extols
the virtues of Marguerite’s home while Méphistophélès also
finds something to leave her: a box full of jewels. Marguerite appears, lost in thought,
but is overcome with excitement as she discovers the jewel box and tries on its contents.
Marthe Schwertlein, Marguerite’s neighbour, thinks that the jewels must be from
an admirer. When both women are joined by Méphistophélès and Faust,
the former distracts Marthe so that Faust can seduce Marguerite.

Act IV

Five months have passed. Marguerite has been deserted by Faust, but is carrying
his child. In church, her prayers are repeatedly interrupted by demons. She faints
as Méphistophélès’ final curse denies her the hope of salvation.

Soldiers return from the war, Valentin among them. He asks Siébel to tell
him how his sister is, but Siébel’s evasions prompt him angrily to rush
into Marguerite’s house to find out for himself. Méphistophélès
and Faust arrive, and the Devil satirically serenades Marguerite. Valentin emerges
from the house demanding to know who is responsiblefor his sister’s shame. In
the ensuing duel, Faust mortally wounds Valentin, who with his final words denies
Marguerite any Christian compassion and damns her for eternity.

Act V

It is Walpurgis Night and a diabolic ballet ensues. Faust is subjected to visions,
the last of which is of Marguerite in prison for the murder of their child and
awaiting execution. Faust wants to go to her, and Méphistophélès
obliges. Together in the cell, Faust and Marguerite remember their shared moments
of love and Faust urges her to flee with him, but she resists, calling for divine
protection. Marguerite’s supplication is answered: her soul ascends to heaven.

Synopsis reproduced by permission of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden